The assemblies are a dynamic part of shared governance at Cornell. The faculty have a senate, and the staff and students have assemblies. Like legislative bodies in our government, the assemblies are elected, representative, constituent bodies, with some amount of delegated authority to affect, direct or recommend policies to the highest levels of the university.

Shared governance fulfills two basic functions:

1. Participation in University decision-making by students, faculty and staff in areas of direct and joint concern to them

2. A forum for discussion of campus issues

The Assemblies, like the Faculty Senate, receive their authorities from the Board of Trustees. The authority includes recommending changes to university policies that affect constituents, subject to approval by the President, who reviews and responds to resolutions (legislation) passed by the assemblies. 

Notably, the Assemblies fall under the division of University Relations because of its function to communicate with internal stakeholders—between campus communities and the administration. In times of campus unrest or crises, the Assemblies often serve as an outlet for the tensions, and a direct channel to the administration for voicing dissent.